DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 81, 14 July 1910, Page 6

DISTRICT NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondents.) TIKOUAXGI. The financial position of the Clifton County Council is the acute question at present, and the ratepayers of the Waihi riding are seriously considering the sulvisableness of forming the riding area into a- road district. Councillor Sander, who has given notice to move that a special rate be struck over the Waihi riding, can surely be not'conversant with the true position or he would hardly have tabled his monstrous proposition. When it is realised that the roads in this riding have to bear the through traffic from the Mokau and Urenui ridings, and also that from Awakino and farther north, it will be onceded that any attempt to thrust on the unfortunate ratepayers of Waihi the bidden ot maintaining' the important arterial road northwards is, to say the least, a most improper one. Another unfortunate point is the fact that a very large aiea in this riding is still in the hands of the Maoris from whom it is absolutely impossible to collect any rates, and a worse feature still is the attitude of the H"ii.' dames Carroll who, stubbornly sets his face against any amendment in the law that "would remedy this disgraceful state of affairs,

It is a far cry from Clifton Count}' finance to the Johnson-Jeffries prizefight, but in connection with the latter I note that some of our sapient legislators aver that there is-no need to disallow the production of the moving pictures showing the spectacle of a white man being knocked about by a negro because there is practically no color line of distinction in this country. I venture to say, however, that were some of these legislators dumped down on the Waihi Mock and asked to maintain the roads for the benefit of the Maori they would alter their opinion and by bitter experience would learn that there is a very marked color distinction in this country, and one that is entirely to the disadvantage of the white colonist. Messrs. Sorenson Bros, have sold their property on the Ohanga road to Messrs Hine and Lye, and Mr. J. Foreman has disposed of his land on the Otaraoa road to Mr. H. Foreman and Mr. E: Sanen. The result of- the operations of the Tikorangi Dairy Co. for the past financial year which ended on June 30 is, 1 understand, most gratifying. The output of butter was 125 tons, as against 100 tons for the previous year, an increase of exactly 25 per cent. The reported arrival, in the "Daily New," last week, of the Viganella was received with great satisfaction, as a large quantity of the basic slag which is on board is destined to be spread over our pastures. A very large proportion of the increase of butter mentioned in the preceding paragraph may be credited to the liberal use of this most valuable fertiliser.

An attempt has been made at the local factory to solve the problem as to whether it is possible to make, 'by pasteurising methods, a good butter from milk from cows fed on turnips, and experiments go to show that if the cows are allowed free run of the turnip paddock the result is not at all satisfactory, but if the cows are put on turnips for an hour or two only each day the, flavor of the butter is not affected. But in this respect the great difficulty is that although some of the supplieus would scrupulously observe all care, others appear to firmly hold the opinion that if they can slip a, can of bad milk into the faetory without being_ detected by the manager they are doing a very clever thing, indeed. The local school is now without an assistant teacher, and the headmaster, Mr. West, has his time fully occupied, it is to toe hoped that the Education Board will make an effort to get the position filled, as it is impossible for one man to take seven or eight different classes and do justice to all. ! WAIOXGOXA.

A most successful dance was held in the schoolroom on Friday evening last. There was a good attendance, and a most enjoyable evening was spent. The merry-makers dispersed at, about 1.30 a.m. on Saturday morning. Mr. Percival (architect) and Mr. James (factory manager), met the settlers of Waiongona recently and discussed arrangements for a site for the new creamery building.- Most of the afternoon wits spent in measuring, pegging out site, and considering plans, etc. The work of removing loose surface soil, levelling and filling was left to the settlers.

It is reported that Mr. J. Barron is about to sell out his farm and take up his residence in Inglewood. Mr. Barron is a resident of old standing in the district and will be missed. Mr. Wright's residence on the Wortley road is nearing completion, and presumably he intends immediately taking up his quarters there.